Tzaziki

This recipe I have had for a while, that I hadn't actually made since studying in Culinary (2002)

This is a very tasty garlic cucumber dip made with yogurt, and simply to die for.  Although, I will admit, I did have to talk to a friend who is Greek, to go over it with me before I made it again the other night.  Other than one tiny thing, it was pretty much what I remember.

Enjoy!

Ingrediants:

• 1 (6 ounce) container plain Balkan style yogurt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pinch salt
• Dill or Parsley to taste (optional)

Directions:

1. Hang the yogurt over a bowl or sink, using cheese cloth, and let sit for 1 hour. (This drains some of the water out of the yogurt, that now makes it more creamy, and more flavourful.  This is also known as Yogurt Cheese)
2. Grate the cucumber, and cover with the salt, and let salt pull the water out of the cucumber.  Drain well/squeeze well.
3. add the oli e oil, white vinegar, garlic and more salt if desired and mix well.
4. let stand in refrigerator for 4-6 hours before use, so that flavours mix well and incorporate through out the tzaziki sauce.  


Great to use with Souvlaki, roasted lamb, or even using it as a dip for veggies or pita chips


Enjoy! 

Souvlaki Marinade

Once you go Greek...  yeah.. I got nothing.

Except for this fabulous recipe for a Greek souvlaki marinade!

Fantastic with Chicken, Pork or Lamb!




Ingrediants:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon of dried oregeno
1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 - 2 lbs of your choice of meet



Directions:

Mix well, and let sit to encorporate flavours.



Usage:

When using this marinade, it is ideal that you want the meat to be in the marinade for around 8 hours, or even overnight, however if you do it any shorter than 2 hours, the flavour will not be as strong.  The trick to souvlaki, is to marinade, but also to make extra of the marinade.  one, for basting while cooking, and also, after baking, to lightly brush the meat again with this mixture.

Enjoy!

Salsa Chicken

With this chicken dish, it is important to note, it can be as spicy, or as tame as you want it to be, all depending on a few things.

How much seasoning you wish to put on your chicken, the type of salsa, mild, medium, hot, or the cheese, a regular cheddar, or go with a tex mex blend, or even a hot habanerro cheese, this is completely up to you.



Ingrediants

• 4 chicken breasts
• Taco seasoning Taco Seasoning found here
• Salsa (mild, medium, hot, your choice)
• Corn Tortilla Chips
• Cheese (I prefer a tex mex  blend, but the choice is yours)

Directions:

1 Preheat the oven to 375f
2 Take chicken breasts, and coat with the taco seasoning mix  (For a less spicier flavouring, don't completely coat the chicken with the seasoning, instead, just sprinkle on what you wish to do.. the more seasoning the spicer)
3. In a lightly oiled baking dish, place the chicken breasts inside, and top with salsa (again, the spices will be determined by the type of salsa that you wish to use)
4. Place iun the oven for 25 minutes
5. Crush some tortilla chips, and place over top the salsa, and cover in cheese
6. place back in the oven to melt the cheese, or place under the broiler for a faster, golden cheese colour


Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning

For some reason, I have been on this awesome Mexican food kick for the past week and a half, and to continue, beyond the Fajita spice, lets go for some tacos!


Again, with this seasoning, you can sprikle it directly onto the meat while cooking, or for a more milder flavour, obviously don't use as much seasoning, but also add 1/4 cup of water into the meat, to let it simmer, and coat the meat as well.



Taco Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoons ground cumin 
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix well and enjoy!

Tip:  

Mix together in a ziplog bag, and while mixing, also grind the spices together, to release more flavour, and aroma to add to a richer, flavouring.

Fajita Seasoning

Now who doesn't like a taste of Mexican?

With these mix of herbs and spices that create a tasty Fajita blend, absolutely use with chicken and beef, while also adding a red, or green pepper, as well as onions.  Serve on top of rice, in a tortilla wrap with salsa, cheese, letus tomato or use it for your chicken/beef topping for nachos.

While using seasoning (or any seasoning for that matter) there are two ways to do it.

1, use your seasoning as is, like you would with salt, and just season to taste or
2, add your seasoning to taste, but also add 1/4 cup of water to your meat, to mix well, let the meat take in the flavour, and also helps make the spices not as strong.

Either way, is completely up to personal preference.


Fajita Seaoning

•  1 tablespoon cornstarh
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teeispoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

Directions:

Mix in well.. and voila!

Tip:

Something that I do when it comes to mixing spices and seasonings together, is to mix the spices inside a ziplock bag.  The purpose for this, is I don't just mix them together, but I also grind them together inside the baggie, releasing the flavours and aromatic charateristics of the spices, to then mix flavours together, which will bring out a stronger flavour.

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper